Trademarked facade system MetecnoKasset is the first of its kind to pass all criteria of the new Australian Standard AS5113:2016 Fire Propagation for Exterior Walls, effective from March 2018.
The new standard is designed to improve the safety of Australian building systems with specific pass/fail criteria and is more stringent than any international standard.
Manufactured by Metecno PIR, part of the Australian Bondor Metecno Group, MetecnoKasset has passed AS5113 as a conforming curtain wall system for commercial and multi rise construction after almost a year of rigorous testing, Metecno PIR’s General Manager Colin Richman confirmed.
“MetecnoKasset meets AS5113’s more stringent criteria including for falling debris and radiant heat that are not found in European or American standards,” he said.
“The other great advantage of the system is that it can be installed from inside the building, which reduces the need for perimeter, making the fitting process safer, cheaper and faster.
“In fact, it can reduce installation time by up to 50 per cent and has saved one client over $1 million in scaffolding equipment on one project alone.”
Developers of the Yorkshire Brewery Apartments in Collingwood achieved significant savings with the installation of MetecnoKasset as part of the conversion of a heritage-listed building into a modern 15 and 17 storey tower.
“The new lightweight system, together with a traditional installation method, significantly reduced the labour costing and program times without relying on the site crane other than floor loading,” Richman said.
The installation cycle on average was two floors per week, without the need for external access.
MetecnoKasset comprises a lightweight, easy to install and more affordable alternative to tilt panels, and its narrow wall profile gives more floor space than traditional concrete tilt ups.
The system also offers a major reduction in dead loads on the floor and ceiling, reducing the impact and weight on lower floors and the building as a whole.
MetecnoKasset carries other accreditations and testing standards including: AS/NZS 4284:2008 Building Facade Testing (Structural SLS, Air Infiltration, Water Penetration, Structural ULS), acoustic assessments Rw 25 to 55 and codemark certifications.
The MetecnoKasset system is available in a range of colours and finishes for use in existing and new building developments. ■
